Solitary Writing

'''Abstract''': Trainees are given a structured writing assignment and a prescribed period of time during which to write on the topic, without discussing or consulting.

'''Overview''': This can be particularly useful in generating ideas, which in this application is called nominal group brainstorming. One gets about three times as many ideas when people first take individual time to write down all the ideas they can think of, as compared with the usual group brainstorming process. The writing assignment should have a specific purpose and rationale. The amount of structure provided can vary.

'''Guidelines''': Instruct people to work on their own, writing for a specified period of time without discussing or consulting with others. Explain clearly the topic or assignment for writing. Specify how long they will have to write. If it is a nominal group brainstorm exercise, the follow-up is to have people contribute ideas they have written down until all nonoverlapping ideas have been recorded. If it’s a creative writing process, individuals can choose to share what they have written with the group.

'''Example(s)''': A letter from the future. The task is to write a letter to yourself, from a point five years in the future, describing how you have been successful in making the change you wanted, how you did it, what has been good about the change, etc. Offer words of encouragement, wisdom, perspective, and hope to yourself from this future perspective.
Begin with Dear . . . (your name), and write from the future in first person (I) to yourself (you) in the present. This can be done with clients seeking a behavior change, with trainees trying to learn a new method, etc. Some sample sentence stems for the letter:
I know that back then . . . .
What I have particularly enjoyed . . .
I think what was most helpful . . .
An important turning point for me was . . .

Thanks to: Bill Miller
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from Motivational Interviewing Training for New Trainers (TNT), Resources for Trainers, http://www.motivationalinterviewing.org/